Week 14: Conference USA Championship Game

In what will be a repeat of the inaugural Conference USA championship game in 2005, UCF will play host to Tulsa at new BrightHouse Networks Stadium in Orlando, Fla.

As one would expect of the league's top two teams, the game will feature two of C-USA's premier offensive players in Tulsa quarterback Paul Smith and UCF running back Kevin Smith, who shared the conference's Offensive Player of the Year award announced Wednesday.

Tulsa's Smith has passed for Heisman-like, or at least Colt Brennan-like, numbers: 4,327 yards and 39 touchdowns. He averages more than 360 yards per game, ranks first nationally in points responsible for and third in pass efficiency. He also has rushed for 12 touchdowns.

UCF's Smith has run for Heisman-like numbers: 2,164 yards and 25 touchdowns and averages 180 yards per game. He leads the nation in rushing and scoring.

Since losing a mid-season game to UCF, 44-23, Tulsa has won five straight to earn a spot in the championship game in coach Todd Graham's first season. But to defeat UCF in their second meeting, the Golden Hurricane will have to be better defensively. Tulsa allowed more than 700 yards in last weekend's 48-43 win over Rice.

Offensively, the Golden Hurricane won't have to worry. Their offense has prospered behind Paul Smith. Tulsa averages 40.7 points and 548.6 yards per game and Brennan Marion has an astounding 1,148 yards receiving on 32 catches, a 35.9-yard-per-catch average. In its win over Rice, Tulsa got 441 yards passing from Smith and 244 receiving yards from Marion.

Graham, Tulsa's defensive coordinator in 2005, said Paul Smith has been more impressive the final month of the season than he has all year.

“People don't realize this is a new offense and every term has been new for Paul Smith,” Graham said. “I think after week eight he really started digesting all of it and started to understand about being patient . . . he's pretty special.”

Like Tulsa, UCF has been on a second-half roll. The Knights have won six straight since losing a mid-season game against then-nationally ranked USF. Kevin Smith scored three touchdowns and rushed for 219 yards in last weekend's win over UTEP to clinch the East Division crown.

UCF's Smith has been as impressive to Graham as his Smith.

“He's fast, quick, explosive and has unbelievable change of direction,” Graham said. “He has great vision. He's a first-round (NFL) draft pick. He'll run over you, he'll run around you and he'll out-run you. He's as good a zone runner as I've seen.”

UCF quarterback Kyle Israel has contributed to the strong second half. Israel has been consistent in his decisions and accurate with his throws. Against UTEP, he completed 18-of-26 for 261 yards and three touchdowns.

Defensively, the Knights have gotten solid performances from all-conference defensive back Joe Burnett. He has four interceptions in the team's past three games.

It's all led to a return visit to the title game for the Knights, who rebounded from a 4-8 finish in 2006.

“You can't get to the conference (championship) unless you win the division,” said UCF coach George O'Leary, named C-USA Coach of the Year. “I think it's great to win the division. Anytime you can win nine games in a year it's great, but 10 is a lot better. The great thing about the (title) game is it's home. It should be a wild atmosphere.”

The winner of the game earns a likely spot in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl in Memphis against a to-be-determined Southeastern Conference representative.

UCF by 7